The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS following modification to the department publications entitled "2017-2018 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands" and in accordance with the provisions of the department document entitled "2017-18 Drawn Hunt Catalog," which shall be published on the official websites of the department.

Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §§12.027, 43.045, 43.0722, 44.003, 45.002; 47.031, 65.0071, 66.017, 71.010, 76.1031, 77.0361, 78.108, and 81.301, the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the adoption, on an emergency basis with less than 30 days’ notice, of new 31 TAC §57.979, to extend the period of validity of specific licenses issued by the department, beginning September 1, 2017 and continuing until September 30, 2017.

Executive Order No. 17-005(PDF50.8KB)Date: June 20, 2017Subject: Free Fishing in State Parks — In accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code §46.002(a)(5), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hereby ORDERS the sponsorship of the “Free Fishing in State Parks,” an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks owned or leased by TPWD.

Executive Order No. 17-004(PDF58.9KB)Date: June 15, 2017Subject: Recreational Harvest of Red Snapper — Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §79.002 and 31 TAC §57.801, the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after notifying the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, ORDERS the adoption, on an emergency basis with less than 30 days’ notice, of new 31 TAC §57.983, to prohibit the take of red snapper in state waters from Monday through Thursday of each week for the period beginning June 16, 2017 until September 4, 2017, with exceptions for July 3-4, 2017 and September 4, 2017 (Labor Day).

Executive Order No. 17-003(PDF81.5KB)Date: June 20, 2017Subject: Migratory Game Bird Proclomation — Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §64.022 and 31 TAC §65.313(f), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after notifying the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, is authorized to adopt regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, means, methods, and devices for harvesting migratory game birds within U.S Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks. Therefore, the Executive Director hereby adopts amendments to 31 TAC §§65.314, 65.315, and 65.318-65.321, concerning the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation, with changes to the proposed text as published in the February17, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 668). The Executive Director also hereby authorizes publication of the Notice of Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 17-002(PDF172.3KB)Date: May 22, 2017Subject: Chronic Wasting Disease — Pursuant to Parks and Wildlife Code, §12.027, and Government Code, §2001.034, the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (the department) adopts, on an emergency basis, a 60-day extension of the effectiveness of amendments to §65.81 and §65.82, concerning Disease Detection and Response, adopted on an emergency basis on January 26, 2017 and published in the February 10, 2017 issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 531).

Executive Order No. 17-001(PDF599.9KB)Date: January 25, 2017Subject: Chronic Wasting Disease — The Executive Director hereby ORDERS the adoption, on an emergency basis, of amendments to 31 TAC §§65.81 and 65.82 to eliminate current Surveillance Zone 3 in Medina County and replace it with an identical geographical area designated as Containment Zone 3. This order is effective immediately upon filing, and authorizes publication of a Notice of Emergency Adoption in the Texas Register.

2016

Executive Order No. 16-005(PDF27.5KB)Date: October 25, 2016Subject: Due to logging operations at Atlanta State Park, some public hunting activities are cancelled.

Executive Order No. 16-004(PDF85.6KB)Date: August 24, 2016Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS that in addition to the regulations contained in the Public Lands Proclamation (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter H), hunting on public lands in this state shall be conducted as provided for in the department publication entitled “2016-2017 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and in accordance with the provisions of the department document entitled “2016-17 Drawn Hunt Catalog.”

Executive Order No. 16-003(PDF55.3KB)Date: July 22, 2016Subject: In accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code §46.002(a)(5), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hereby ORDERS the sponsorship of the “Free Fishing in State Parks,” an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks owned or leased by TPWD.

Executive Order No. 16-002(PDF88KB)Chronic Wasting Disease Emergency Extensions — Deer Management Permit(PDF202.6KB)Triple T Permit(PDF206.3KB)Date: January 28, 2016Subject: Therefore, finding that the immediate danger of CWD to native deer continues to exist, the Executive Director hereby ORDERS a 60-day extension of 31 TAC §§65.94 and 65.95. This order is effective immediately upon filing, and authorizes publication of a Notice of Extension of Emergency Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 16-001(PDF80.2KB)Date: January 14, 2016Subject: In accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code §46.002(a)(5), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hereby ORDERS the sponsorship of the “Free Fishing in State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas,” an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks and wildlife management areas owned or leased by TPWD.

2015

Executive Order No. 15-010(PDF31.1KB)Date: December 14, 2015Subject: Due to the recent flooding on the Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management Area, the following public hunting activities are cancelled until further notice: Special Permit Gun Deer Either Sex (GDE) hunt scheduled for December 14-16, 2015. Loyalty Points will be restored for all accepted hunt positions.

Executive Order No. 15-009(PDF88.1KB)Emergency Rule Extension(PDF234.8KB)Date: December 14, 2015Subject: Finding that the immediate danger of CWD to native deer continues to exist, the Executive Director hereby ORDERS a 60-day extension of 31 TAC §§65.90-65.93. This order is effective immediately upon filing, and authorizes publication of a Notice of Extension of Emergency Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 15-008(PDF28.9KB)Date: November 18, 2015Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the Public Hunt Draw System: Due to flooding at Lake Somerville State Park, the following public hunting activities are cancelled: Special permit YDE hunt on the Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park scheduled for Dec. 5-6, 2015.

Executive Order No. 15-007(PDF99.1KB)Date: October 29, 2015Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the department publications entitled “2015-2016 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and the Public Hunt Draw System:
Due to the recent flooding on the Middle Trinity River Ecosystem project Wildlife Management Areas, the following public hunting activities are cancelled until further notice.

Executive Order No. 15-006(PDF86.8KB)Chronic Wasting Disease Emergency Rules — Deer Management Permit Provisions(PDF198.4KB)Triple T Permit Provisions(PDF202.1KB)Date: October 5, 2015Subject: The Executive Director hereby ORDERS the adoption, on an emergency basis, of new 31 TAC §65.94 and §65.95 to implement additional disease testing requirements and movement restrictions for deer that are moved, commingled with free-ranging deer, or released under the authority of a permit issued by the department. This order is effective immediately upon filing, and authorizes publication of a Notice of Emergency Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 15-005(PDF81.1KB)Date: October 1, 2015Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the department publications entitled “2015-2016 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands”: Page 84 — Public Hunting Unit #2487 “CR 140” part of the Milam County Complex will be withdrawn from the program as of October 2, 2015. There will be no hunting or public access.

Executive Order No. 15-004(PDF85.3KB)Date: August 31, 2015Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS that in addition to the regulations contained in the Public Lands Proclamation (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter H), hunting on public lands in this state shall be conducted as provided for in the department publication entitled “2015-2016 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and in accordance with the provisions of the department document entitled “2015-16 Drawn Hunt Catalog,” which shall be published on the official website of the department at https://www2.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/brochures/2015-2016-drawn-hunt-catalog.pdf, as may be amended by order of the Executive Director.

Executive Order No. 15-003(PDF85.2KB)Emergency Rule(PDF199.5KB)Date: August 18, 2015Subject:
White-tailed deer and mule deer are game animals subject to regulation by the Commission under the provisions of various chapters of the Parks and Wildlife Code, including Chapters 43 (Subchapters E, L, R, and R-1), 61, 62, and 63. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects some cervid species, including white-tailed deer and mule deer. The Executive Director finds that the recent discovery of CWD in a Texas deer breeder’s facility regulated under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 43, Subchapter L and regulations adopted pursuant to that subchapter (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter T) creates an immediate danger to the white-tailed deer and mule deer resources of Texas and that the adoption of these rules on an emergency basis with fewer than 30 days’ notice is necessary to address this immediate danger.

Executive Order No. 15-002(PDF16.6KB)Date: July 28, 2015Subject: The Executive Director hereby adopts amendments to 31 TAC §§65.315, and 65.319, concerning the provisions of the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation applicable to early-season species, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 22, 2015, issue of the Texas Register (40 TexReg 2736).

Executive Order No. 15-001(PDF84.1KB)Date: May 12, 2015Subject: Alligator gar are a nongame fish subject to regulation by the Commission under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 67. Under the provisions of agency rules at 31 TAC §57.977, the Executive Director of the department may temporarily prohibit the take of alligator gar in places where they are spawning or are about to spawn.

2014

Executive Order No. 14-007(PDF83.9KB)Date: November 4, 2014Subject: Under the provisions of Parks & Wildlife Code, §13.004, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (the Department) may receive grants for the operation, maintenance and improvement of state parks. Parks & Wildlife Code, §11.0171 allows the Executive Director to negotiate, contract or enter into an agreement with the United States, any of its agencies, and a political subdivision of this state for the purpose of carrying out the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Department. The Department was awarded federal funding through the Transportation Enhancement Program to fund exhibits and visitor center improvements at four state parks to interpret the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.

Executive Order No. 14-005(PDF85.2KB)Date: September 9, 2014Subject: As provided in this Executive Order, the use of permanent hunting blinds at Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area (the WMA) is being terminated in order to promote the fair and equitable distribution of public hunting opportunity, eliminate the potential for user conflict over permanent hunting blinds, enhance public access, facilitate management of the WMA, and provide greater regulatory consistency by eliminating an exception that was applicable only to the WMA.

Executive Order No. 14-004(PDF82.7KB)Date: September 2, 2014Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS that in addition to the regulations contained in the Public Lands Proclamation (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter H), hunting on public lands in this state shall be conducted as provided for in the department publication entitled “2014-2015 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and in accordance with the provisions of the department document entitled “2014-15 Drawn Hunt Catalog,” which shall be published on the official website of the department at https://www2.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/brochures/2014-2015-drawn-hunt-catalog.pdf, as may be amended by order of the Executive Director.

Executive Order No. 14-003(PDF113.3KB)Date: August 5, 2014Subject: Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §64.022 and 31 TAC §65.313(f), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after notifying the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, is authorized to adopt regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, means, methods, and devices for harvesting migratory game birds within U.S Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks.

Executive Order No. 14-002(PDF28.7KB)Date: January 21, 2014Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the department publication entitled “2013-2014 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands”: Page 53 — Due to planned Eastern Turkey research efforts on Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (Unit #754), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the Feral Hog and Squirrel, Rabbits and Hares hunts by Annual Public Hunting Permit scheduled for the March 1-April 30 and May 1-31, 2014 cancelled.

Executive Order No. 14-001(PDF22KB)Date: January 13, 2014Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the department publications entitled “2013-2014 Applications for Drawings on Public Hunting Lands”: Due to the recent flooding on the Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park, The following public hunting activities are cancelled until further notice: The drawn feral hog hunt (GFH) by Special Permit scheduled for January 14-16, 2014; This order is issued pursuant to §81.402 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife code and is effective immediately.

2013

Executive Order No. 13-008(PDF24.6KB)Date: December 10, 2013Subject: On June 17, 2013, zebra mussel veligers were confirmed in Lake Bridgeport, an impoundment of the West Fork of the Trinity River in Jack and Wise counties....

Executive Order No. 13-007(PDF57.4KB)Date: September 27, 2013Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following modification to the department publications entitled “2013-2014 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands”: (Page 102)
Public Hunting Unit #2456 “Fairview Road” in Chambers County will be withdrawn from the program as of October 5, 2013. There will be no hunting or public access.

Executive Order No. 13-006(PDF90KB)Date: September 25, 2013Subject: Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §12.027, if the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission or the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department finds that there is an immediate danger to a species authorized to be regulated by the Department, the Commission or the Executive Director may adopt emergency rules as provided by Government Code, §2001.034.

Executive Order No. 13-005(PDF406.2KB)Date: August 27, 2013Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS that in addition to the
regulations contained in the Public Lands Proclamation (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter H), hunting on
public lands in this state shall be conducted as provided for in the department publications entitled “2013-
2014 Applications for Drawings on Public Lands,” and “2013-2014 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and any supplements.

Executive Order No. 13-004(PDF57.9KB)Date: August 9, 2013Subject: Free Fishing in State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas — In accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code §46.002(a)(5), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hereby ORDERS the sponsorship of the “Free Fishing in State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas,” an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks and wildlife management areas owned or leased by TPWD.

Executive Order No. 13-003(PDF51.6KB)Date: June 27, 2013Subject: Zebra Mussels — The Executive Director hereby adopts an amendment to 31 TAC §57.972 to extend the applicability of the provisions of 31 TAC §57.972(k) to include all impounded and tributary waters of the West Fork of the Trinity River above Lake Worth dam, including lakes Worth, Eagle Mountain, and Bridgeport, to be effective immediately upon filing, and authorizes publication of a Notice of Emergency Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 13-002(PDF102.6KB)Date: July 1, 2013
Under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §64.022 and 31 TAC §65.313(f), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after notifying the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, is authorized to adopt regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, means, methods, and devices for harvesting migratory game birds within U.S Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks. Therefore, the Executive Director hereby adopts amendments to 31 TAC §65.314, 65.315, and 65.319, concerning the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation, with changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2013, issue of the Texas Register (38 TexReg 3290). The Executive Director also hereby authorizes publication of the Notice of Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 13-001(PDF102.6KB)Date: January 11, 2013Subject: Due to the recent flooding on the on the Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park, the following public hunting activities are cancelled until further notice: The drawn feral hog hunt (GFH) by Special Permit scheduled for January 15-17, 2013.

2012

Executive Order No. 12-007(PDF72.4KB)Date: December 20, 2012Subject: Due to continuing negative impacts resulting from the current drought on Matagorda Island
Wildlife Management Area (Unit #722), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department ORDERS the waterfowl hunts by Annual Public Hunting Permit
scheduled for the Jan. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27, 2013 cancelled.

Executive Order No. 12-006(PDF113.7KB)Date: November 30, 2012Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the following
modification to the department publications entitled “2012-2013 Map Booklet for Public
Hunting Lands”: Due to continuing negative impacts resulting from the current drought on Matagorda Island
Wildlife Management Area (Unit #722), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department ORDERS the waterfowl hunts by Annual Public Hunting Permit scheduled for the
Dec. 8-9, 2012 cancelled.

Executive Order No. 12-005(PDF67.3KB)Date: August 29, 2012Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS that in addition to the regulations contained in the Public Lands Proclamation (31 TAC Chapter 65, Subchapter H), hunting on public lands in this state shall be conducted as provided for in the department publications entitled “2012-2013 Applications for Drawings on Public Lands,” and “2012-2013 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands” and any supplements.

Executive Order No. 12-004(PDF73.7KB)Date: August 9, 2012Subject: In accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code §46.002(a)(5), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hereby ORDERS the sponsorship of the “Free Fishing in State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas,” an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks and wildlife management areas owned or leased by TPWD.

Executive Order No. 12-003(PDF76.8KB)Date: July 30, 2012Subject: The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department finds that zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) present an immediate danger to aquatic species regulated by the department and hereby ORDERS the adoption of emergency rules to contain zebra mussels in all impounded and tributary waters of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River upstream from the Lewisville dam. The Executive Director authorizes the immediate submission of Notice of Emergency Rulemaking in the Texas Register.Notice of Emergency Rulemaking(PDF90.1KB)

Executive Order No. 12-002(PDF86.7KB)Date: June 29, 2012Subject: Under the provisions of 31 TAC §65.313(f), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after notifying the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, adopts amendments to 31 TAC §§65.315 and 65.319, concerning the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation, with changes to the proposed text as published in the May 18, 2012 issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 3673). The Executive Director hereby authorizes publication of the Notice of Adoption in the Texas Register.

Executive Order No. 12-001(PDF86.7KB)Date: January 30, 2012Subject: Pursuant to the requirements of Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.001 and the provisions of 31 Tex. Admin. Code §59.62, the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department hereby orders that the tracts of land enumerated herein be designated a state park and entered into the inventory of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lands classified as state parks.

2011

Executive Order No. 008(PDF85.3KB)Date: December 29, 2011Subject: Due to the continuing impacts of the exceptional drought on freshwater ponds on the Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area (Unit #722), the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ORDERS the cancellation of waterfowl hunts by Annual Public Hunting permit scheduled for January 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 2012. Waterfowl hunting in the Bayshore Marsh Area is unaffected.

Executive Order No. 007(PDF75.5KB)Date: December 20, 2011Subject: Under the provisions of 31 Texas Administrative Code, §53.50, an agent appointed by the department to provide boater education instruction may charge and keep a per-student service fee in an amount established in a fee schedule approved by the director, which shall not exceed $25.

Executive Order No. 006(PDF75.5KB)Date: November 22, 2011Subject: Cancellation of waterfowl hunts at the Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area (Unit #722) by
Annual Public Hunting permit scheduled for December 10-11, 2011. Waterfowl hunting
in the Bayshore Marsh Area is unaffected.

Executive Order No. 005(PDF69.5KB)Date: August 1, 2011Subject: The number of drawn special permit general alligator hunt positions scheduled for the J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area is reduced from 180 positions to 98 positions.

Executive Order No. 003(PDF77.4KB)Date: July 22, 2011Subject: Sponsorship of the "Free Fishing in State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas," an ongoing event to encourage participation in angling on state parks and wildlife management areas owned or leased by TPWD

Executive Order No. 002(PDF259.7KB)Date: May 4, 2011Subject: Public hunting and recreational access to North Unit of Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (Unit 703) cancelled until August 31, 2011.

Executive Order No. 001(PDF28.6KB)Date: February 17, 2011
Subject: Cancellation of hunts at Cooper WMA and the Big Hill Unit of the J.D. Murphree WMA